billbob

As of today, the Cooper Spur road is (still) totally closed. All trails up to TJ/Cloud Cap are closed. There is some limited log-clearing activity going on, work on protecting the road continues. The Rangers office suggests calling weekly for updates. When things will re-open is unknown because snow will end all work until spring. That said, the N side can be had by ascending up the Elk Cove trail, then over the Coe glacier area, or you could hike the 12 miles from T-Line (only 10 if you can access the T-Line trail from the Meadows ski area). None of these are very feasible in winter snow conditions. Other options ??

Several years ago I read about a Korean on Denali that got frostbite on his penis... Always wondered how the hell he did that and how he explained it to the wife.

16 !! What a great year... Now just make sure you make it to 17.

Like, uh, uh, what he said. Maybe this helps explain Meissner's Yeti sighting?

What exactly is that, anyways?

Vodka, "Rain". It's organic. Bwahahaha

There sure were a lot of rescue people around T-Line yesterday afternoon, amazing how so many are willing to come to the aid of one guy. My son and a friend had just descended from the weekly walk-up to Crater Rock around 4pm, said he saw one guy yelling words unintelligible uphill, had no idea what events transpired until we all returned to the T-Line lot. Only saw 4 TV crews around, canvassing the crowd, looking for interviews...

Good on him for keeping his shit together...

Gear Note: Kevlar-reinforced crotch in pants ?

Looked like the Palmer on Hood is up now, kinda fast/icy tho...

Thanks for the sincere words everyone. Lots to consider, sounds like I really do need to talk to the docs. Bill

In hope of getting a serious answer I'll just get this out: At the end of a long and unhappy marriage I started taking depo testosterone about 4 years ago and have seen all the expected benefits, not the least of which was getting my balls back along with a much-needed divorce. My doc did a lot of expensive testing and found I had a low testosterone level, which made sense given the nature of the ex. I'm now 51 and continue growing in muscle strength, still feel young and all that. I've heard of athletes using this or other steroids and having serious adverse effects. Getting old sucks, as some of you may already know. I don't over-use it and besides it's expensive and hurts from the veterinary-size needle and thick liquid injection. The questions are - alpine climbing puts a lot of strain on the heart, so is there risk of problems ? Does the heart grow like other muscles? Any other altitude-related worries? How long can I continue to do this?

But if you were above tree line in a badass winter storm, would you be OK in one?

Can't even park at the bottom of the Cooper Spur road and hike up TJ trail... Downed, burnt, weakened trees much of the way caused the TJ trail to be closed. Word is it might open later but snow is coming soon, so it may be some time before anyone can hike up. What alternatives are left? Hike up to Elk Cove and traverse up/over? Parachute on to the Eliot? Climb the SS and descend Cooper Spur?

You got to be kidding !?

As of last Sun the roads to Vista Ridge and Mazamas (old Cathedral Ridge) TH's were opened back up but the road up Cooper Spur was still closed. They should all be open after this week given all the precip. Hood Ranger district office closes at 4:30pm so it was too late to call today, you can ask tomorrow morning ...541-352-6002 The TJ campground was scorched, no buildings lost. CC was almost but not quite burnt. Last Sun it snowed on us all the way up to Crater Rock

Mixed results here. My Trango 3.1 tent was shredded in high winds, two broken poles and torn fly. MH replaced the fly and poles n/c in spite of it being mostly my own fault for not rigging it correctly. On the other hand, when the zipper broke last year on a MH softshell jacket they wouldn't (couldn't) fix it and had no more of the same type jacket to replace it with.

SOLD ! Sweet deal for Mr. Ian.

The Cooper Spur road to Cloud Cap remains closed as of today. Forecasted precip should allow for re-opening soon. The Tilly Jane campground was scorched but no buildings burned. Cloud Cap was untouched but just barely. Many thanks to all the very hard-working Rangers and volunteer people who managed to save a lot of Mt Hood history. Roads to the Mazamas TH (old Cathedral Ridge) and the Vista Ridge TH road are now open.

Nope, Cloud Cap area was untouched. The nearby Tilly Jane area was burned but no buildings were harmed. Many thanks to all the hard-working Rangers and volunteers in the area ! Be advised that currently the road up Cooper Spur to Cloud Cap & Tilly Jane campgrounds remains closed as of today. Forecasted precipitation should allow for re-opening soon.

The USA Climbing organization has seen tremendous growth over the recent past and for good reason. Indoor climbing teams are starting up again now, so it's time to get the kids back to the fun. We started my son at age 8, now at 16 he is scary strong. If training is done carefully and not over the top, they develop stronger muscle and connective tissue that will serve them well the entire lives, not to mention the huge boost in self-confidence. Then they discover that they're way stronger than their non-climbing friends...

If you get down to Oregon, try Cloud Cap campground on the N side of Hood. Water, potty, great views, elev. 5800' and you can hike up the Cooper Spur trail all the way to Tie-In Rock if you don't mind carrying lots of water.

15 climbs in 12 months resulting in sciatica and one nasty ice-pick hole in the thigh has had me down for the count since July. Back now on training runs around I Rock after binge-ing w/ Johnny Walker, at least in winter its easier to wipe off frozen vomitus. Can't wait for the annual winter solstice Beacon Rock slip-fest ?!

Collin, Few people want to try it in November and for good reason. Careful your ambition doesn't exceed your personal abilities. You'll get experience and live to learn from it if you stick to the S. side above Timberline, bring a gps/map/compass/cell phone, and don't go up if the weather is grim. Bring a shovel and make a snow cave when there's enough snow. Plan on making at least a few day hikes up to Crater Rock. Find out how to get down in a whiteout. Find out what it's like to huff really cold air filled with blowing snice. Drink lots of water, don't let it freeze up. Eat more Gu or whatever. Do an overnight camp on the Triangle Moraine. Make damn sure you have clothing for surviving really nasty weather. Often there will be a decent weather window in late Dec and/or Feb, but as already mentioned, it will change in a blink. Go every weekend that the weather allows and maybe you will still want to go for the summit before winter is over. Remember that if you screw up, lots of other guys might have to risk their necks to get you back. Winter on the volcanoes can be exceptionally beautiful or deadly.

Hi Ian, No worries, let me know.